Reading 1 1 Jn 5:14-21
Beloved:
We have this confidence in God,
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that no one begotten by God sins;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5 And 6a And 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Jn 2:1-11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
"They have no wine."
And Jesus said to her,
"Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come."
His mother said to the servers,
"Do whatever he tells you."
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
"Fill the jars with water."
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
"raw some out now and take it to the headwaiter."
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
(although the servers who had drawn the water knew),
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
"veryone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now."
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.
Meditation: John 2:1-12
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“Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)
Isn’t that interesting? When it seemed that Jesus had rebuffed her request to help a young couple at their wedding reception, Mary didn’t insist that Jesus obey her. As his mother, she probably felt that she had enough influence to make such a request of him. But instead of pressing her case, she humbly stepped back and trusted that Jesus would make the right decision for everyone involved. She trusted her son enough, in fact, to tell the servants to do whatever he said. She knew he wouldn’t let her down.
Put today’s incident next to the time when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus in the Temple. Think, too, about the time in Capernaum when she heard him talking about who his “real” family was (Luke 2:41-52; Mark 3:31-35). In all three instances, Jesus responded with a question of his own—one that could have sounded disrespectful: “Woman, how does your concern affect me?” “Why were you looking for me?” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” In each instance, Mary didn’t shoot back with sharp words of her own. Instead, she pondered these things in her heart.
As a result, Mary did not go away disappointed. At the wedding feast, she saw Jesus bless the couple—and reveal something even more powerful about himself. At the Temple, she sensed that Jesus must have had something very important to say to the elders, or he wouldn’t have left his parents. And at the house in Capernaum, Mary saw how Jesus was calling people to be one body, a church that functioned like a close-knit family.
So let’s take Mary’s approach. Let’s not be shy in telling God what we want or need. Let’s be bold and confident when we talk to him in prayer. And if we don’t see an answer—or if we don’t like the answer that we get—let’s step back and reflect on what the Lord is doing and ask for the gift of understanding. We can be confident that, if nothing else, Jesus will give us a broader and deeper vision so that we can trust him and believe in him more fully. Let’s wait to see what Jesus shows us.
“Lord, I surrender to you. I will wait on you.”
07 January 2012
06 January 2012
06 Jan 2012, Christmas Weekday
Reading 1 1 Jn 5:5-13
Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God
has this testimony within himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar
by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Mk 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Or Lk 3:23-38
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.
He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias,
the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias,
the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel,
the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam,
the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea,
the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed,
the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug,
the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad,
the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared,
the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Or Lk 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.
He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala,
the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin,
the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac,
the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Enos,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Meditation: Mark 1:7-11
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“I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
When people compare John the Baptist with Jesus, John doesn’t usually come out looking too good. He tends to be portrayed as a tough guy preaching a fire-and-brimstone gospel—not a very approachable fellow. By contrast, Jesus is seen as more of a soft touch. He’s often portrayed as a gentle fellow, smiling as he heals people and tells us to love each other. John wants to tell us what we’ve done wrong, but Jesus wants to be our friend.
But is this contrast justified? In today’s reading, John is anything but a hardnosed preacher. All he wants to do is point people toward Jesus, the one who was going to give them the Holy Spirit. He told the people that the reason for his call to repentance wasn’t to heap guilt on them. Rather, it was so that they would be ready to receive the salvation Jesus had come to bring. Interestingly enough, when Jesus does appear on the scene, he preaches the very same message of repentance—in the exact same words!—that John did (Mark 1:14-15). It seems that both John and Jesus had more similarities than differences after all!
These similarities between John and Jesus can give us some insights into our own call to preach the gospel. They tell us that, just like John and Jesus, we too need to capture the excitement and hope embodied in the phrase: “The kingdom of God is at hand!” At its heart, the gospel is good news about a God who calls us to his side. It’s the good news about a merciful God who wants to wipe away all our sins and set us free from guilt. It’s the good news about a God who wants to welcome us into his kingdom—forever!
It is a great privilege to be called to do the same work that John and Jesus did. It’s a great privilege to show people the way into the kingdom of heaven. Whether it is through our words or our example, we can become ambassadors for the Lord.
So what’s the good news you’re going to share today? How will you announce the kingdom?
“Lord, teach me how to share your good news with the people around me.”
.
Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God
has this testimony within himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar
by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel Mk 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Or Lk 3:23-38
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.
He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias,
the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias,
the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel,
the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam,
the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea,
the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed,
the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug,
the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad,
the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared,
the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Or Lk 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.
He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala,
the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin,
the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac,
the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Enos,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Meditation: Mark 1:7-11
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“I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
When people compare John the Baptist with Jesus, John doesn’t usually come out looking too good. He tends to be portrayed as a tough guy preaching a fire-and-brimstone gospel—not a very approachable fellow. By contrast, Jesus is seen as more of a soft touch. He’s often portrayed as a gentle fellow, smiling as he heals people and tells us to love each other. John wants to tell us what we’ve done wrong, but Jesus wants to be our friend.
But is this contrast justified? In today’s reading, John is anything but a hardnosed preacher. All he wants to do is point people toward Jesus, the one who was going to give them the Holy Spirit. He told the people that the reason for his call to repentance wasn’t to heap guilt on them. Rather, it was so that they would be ready to receive the salvation Jesus had come to bring. Interestingly enough, when Jesus does appear on the scene, he preaches the very same message of repentance—in the exact same words!—that John did (Mark 1:14-15). It seems that both John and Jesus had more similarities than differences after all!
These similarities between John and Jesus can give us some insights into our own call to preach the gospel. They tell us that, just like John and Jesus, we too need to capture the excitement and hope embodied in the phrase: “The kingdom of God is at hand!” At its heart, the gospel is good news about a God who calls us to his side. It’s the good news about a merciful God who wants to wipe away all our sins and set us free from guilt. It’s the good news about a God who wants to welcome us into his kingdom—forever!
It is a great privilege to be called to do the same work that John and Jesus did. It’s a great privilege to show people the way into the kingdom of heaven. Whether it is through our words or our example, we can become ambassadors for the Lord.
So what’s the good news you’re going to share today? How will you announce the kingdom?
“Lord, teach me how to share your good news with the people around me.”
.
05 January 2012
05 Jan 2012, Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop
Reading 1 1 Jn 3:11-21
Beloved:
This is the message you have heard from the beginning:
we should love one another,
unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One
and slaughtered his brother.
Why did he slaughter him?
Because his own works were evil,
and those of his brother righteous.
Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
We know that we have passed from death to life
because we love our brothers.
Whoever does not love remains in death.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
If someone who has worldly means
sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion,
how can the love of God remain in him?
Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (2a) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
The LORD is good:
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Gospel Jn 1:43-51
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip.
And Jesus said to him, "Follow me."
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see the sky opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Meditation: 1 John 3:11-21
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)
Talk is cheap. It’s easy to say: “I care about you,” but someone who is insecure or has been hurt in the past may not believe you. He may well respond with a challenge: “Prove it!” It creates quite an ironic situation: It becomes very difficult to show love to the very person who so deeply needs it!
Isn’t that how we can be with God sometimes? Especially in those times when we don’t feel very lovable, we have a hard time believing that God’s love is complete and unconditional. This kind of love lies so far beyond our experience that we don’t dare believe it can be real, even though it’s just what we are longing for—and even though it’s exactly what we need. Instead of taking God at his word or quieting our hearts long enough to come in touch with his love, we turn away sadly. We may even “misbehave” in order to prove that he can’t possibly love us.
Jesus won’t argue with us about this, because his approach is long on loving actions, but short on declarations of love. He expresses his love far more “in deed and truth” than he does “in word and speech” (1 John 3:18). He shows his love by forgiving sins, healing sicknesses, welcoming outcasts, and restoring broken relationships. Only once in the Gospels did Jesus say: “I love you” (John 13:34). And even this declaration was sandwiched between two dramatic demonstrations of that love: He had just washed his disciples’ feet, and he was about to open his arms wide on the cross.
Do you want to know a secret? It’s going to happen again today! At some point in the day, God is going to show you how much he loves you. Somehow, he is going to send a personalized “love note” meant only for you. It may happen at Mass or during your prayer time. It may come in the form of help when you most need it, or it may come through a kind gesture from a friend. So keep your eyes and ears open. God loves you—immensely!
“Thank you, Jesus, for loving me unconditionally. Help me to receive that love today. Teach me how to build my life on it, too, as my one solid foundation.”
Beloved:
This is the message you have heard from the beginning:
we should love one another,
unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One
and slaughtered his brother.
Why did he slaughter him?
Because his own works were evil,
and those of his brother righteous.
Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
We know that we have passed from death to life
because we love our brothers.
Whoever does not love remains in death.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
If someone who has worldly means
sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion,
how can the love of God remain in him?
Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (2a) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
The LORD is good:
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Gospel Jn 1:43-51
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip.
And Jesus said to him, "Follow me."
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see the sky opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Meditation: 1 John 3:11-21
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)
Talk is cheap. It’s easy to say: “I care about you,” but someone who is insecure or has been hurt in the past may not believe you. He may well respond with a challenge: “Prove it!” It creates quite an ironic situation: It becomes very difficult to show love to the very person who so deeply needs it!
Isn’t that how we can be with God sometimes? Especially in those times when we don’t feel very lovable, we have a hard time believing that God’s love is complete and unconditional. This kind of love lies so far beyond our experience that we don’t dare believe it can be real, even though it’s just what we are longing for—and even though it’s exactly what we need. Instead of taking God at his word or quieting our hearts long enough to come in touch with his love, we turn away sadly. We may even “misbehave” in order to prove that he can’t possibly love us.
Jesus won’t argue with us about this, because his approach is long on loving actions, but short on declarations of love. He expresses his love far more “in deed and truth” than he does “in word and speech” (1 John 3:18). He shows his love by forgiving sins, healing sicknesses, welcoming outcasts, and restoring broken relationships. Only once in the Gospels did Jesus say: “I love you” (John 13:34). And even this declaration was sandwiched between two dramatic demonstrations of that love: He had just washed his disciples’ feet, and he was about to open his arms wide on the cross.
Do you want to know a secret? It’s going to happen again today! At some point in the day, God is going to show you how much he loves you. Somehow, he is going to send a personalized “love note” meant only for you. It may happen at Mass or during your prayer time. It may come in the form of help when you most need it, or it may come through a kind gesture from a friend. So keep your eyes and ears open. God loves you—immensely!
“Thank you, Jesus, for loving me unconditionally. Help me to receive that love today. Teach me how to build my life on it, too, as my one solid foundation.”
04 January 2012
04 Jan 2012, Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Reading 1 1 Jn 3:7-10
Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous.
Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.
Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.
No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.
In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD comes;
he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:35-42
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher),
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.
Meditation: John 1:35-42
“Come, and you will see.” (John 1:39)
A card arrives in the mail. You open it to find it is an invitation to a dear friend’s wedding. You are honored to be invited, and you quickly mark your calendar. Every time you pass the calendar, you find yourself anticipating the day until it finally arrives.
This is how God wants us to read today’s Gospel passage. He wants us to know that today, and every day, Jesus is offering us an invitation. He is inviting us to come and see.
When Jesus offered this invitation to Andrew and his friend, the two quickly stopped what they were doing and followed him. They must have felt honored that Jesus wanted to spend time with them— time away from the crowds, time just with them. At that moment, the only thing that mattered was that they had the privilege of being with the One whom John had just identified as the Lamb of God. And their lives were completely changed.
Every day, Jesus is knocking on your heart, inviting you to come and see the love and wisdom he has for you. It’s amazing, but it’s true: Jesus really enjoys spending one-on-one time with you, just as he does with each and every one of us. Jesus has so many things he wants to show you. He has so many ways he wants to reveal himself to you. Imagine yourself as a child, standing in wide-eyed wonder at the sight of something new and marvelous. That’s how Jesus wants us to approach our prayer time. What will I see today? What will the Lord say to me? How will he change my heart?
What a privilege it is to follow the Lamb of God! Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, comes to you every day, puts his arm around you, and talks with you. He wants to fill you with grace and strength. He wants the words “Come, and you will see” to be your refrain today and every day. He is waiting for you.
“Jesus, thank you so much for your invitation! Yes, I want to come and see all that you have for me this day. Open my eyes to the wonder of your love so that I can know you more.”
Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous.
Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.
Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.
No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.
In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD comes;
he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:35-42
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher),
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.
Meditation: John 1:35-42
“Come, and you will see.” (John 1:39)
A card arrives in the mail. You open it to find it is an invitation to a dear friend’s wedding. You are honored to be invited, and you quickly mark your calendar. Every time you pass the calendar, you find yourself anticipating the day until it finally arrives.
This is how God wants us to read today’s Gospel passage. He wants us to know that today, and every day, Jesus is offering us an invitation. He is inviting us to come and see.
When Jesus offered this invitation to Andrew and his friend, the two quickly stopped what they were doing and followed him. They must have felt honored that Jesus wanted to spend time with them— time away from the crowds, time just with them. At that moment, the only thing that mattered was that they had the privilege of being with the One whom John had just identified as the Lamb of God. And their lives were completely changed.
Every day, Jesus is knocking on your heart, inviting you to come and see the love and wisdom he has for you. It’s amazing, but it’s true: Jesus really enjoys spending one-on-one time with you, just as he does with each and every one of us. Jesus has so many things he wants to show you. He has so many ways he wants to reveal himself to you. Imagine yourself as a child, standing in wide-eyed wonder at the sight of something new and marvelous. That’s how Jesus wants us to approach our prayer time. What will I see today? What will the Lord say to me? How will he change my heart?
What a privilege it is to follow the Lamb of God! Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, comes to you every day, puts his arm around you, and talks with you. He wants to fill you with grace and strength. He wants the words “Come, and you will see” to be your refrain today and every day. He is waiting for you.
“Jesus, thank you so much for your invitation! Yes, I want to come and see all that you have for me this day. Open my eyes to the wonder of your love so that I can know you more.”
03 January 2012
03 Jan 2012, Christmas Weekday
Reading 1 1 Jn 2:29-3:6
If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying,
"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
Meditation: Psalm 98:1,3-6
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“Sing a new song to the Lord!” Psalm 98:1)
Yes, sing! Sing joyfully. Sing joy, fully. God has done wonder ful things in the past year—things we will know completely only when we are with him in heaven. Still, we can sing joyfully because we know he is all-good, all the time. He is all-wise and all-loving. Even though we don’t always see what he is doing, we know it is good and loving and wise. So sing! Sing thankfully, boldly, with all the praise and joy you can muster.
Sing joyfully about what you hope and expect him to do this new year. God has plans for your life. No matter what age you are, it’s never too late for the good things he has in store for you. Ask him for a new song—a word, or phrase, or Scripture passage, or even a real song—to give you direction for the year. He is the Good Shepherd, who loves and leads you. He will guide you in the paths he has planned for you and give you a new song to sing along the way.
Sing aloud, yes, but don’t limit yourself to what your voice can do. Sing with your pen. Write down what you want to praise the Lord for. Jot down your hopes, dreams, desires for this year. Sing with your paint brush—paint your praise, joy, and thanksgiving. Sing with your musical instrument or your feet. Dance, as David did before the ark of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:5,16). We are wonderfully made, so we can praise the Lord in song or with any of the other talents he has given us.
What do you love to do? Do it intentionally today, as a way to express your joy, praise, and awe of the Lord. As you begin, tell the Lord, “This is for you, God!” And “Beloved, we are God’s children!” —1 John 3:2 if you find it too difficult, ask the Holy Spirit to put a new song in your heart. Ask him for a song that is not there now, one that perhaps has never been there. You are cre ated to sing before the Lord. Be expectant. He will teach you what to do and how to do it!
“Father, you are wonderful and loving and kind. Fill me with a new song today, a song of joy and hope.”
If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying,
"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
Meditation: Psalm 98:1,3-6
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“Sing a new song to the Lord!” Psalm 98:1)
Yes, sing! Sing joyfully. Sing joy, fully. God has done wonder ful things in the past year—things we will know completely only when we are with him in heaven. Still, we can sing joyfully because we know he is all-good, all the time. He is all-wise and all-loving. Even though we don’t always see what he is doing, we know it is good and loving and wise. So sing! Sing thankfully, boldly, with all the praise and joy you can muster.
Sing joyfully about what you hope and expect him to do this new year. God has plans for your life. No matter what age you are, it’s never too late for the good things he has in store for you. Ask him for a new song—a word, or phrase, or Scripture passage, or even a real song—to give you direction for the year. He is the Good Shepherd, who loves and leads you. He will guide you in the paths he has planned for you and give you a new song to sing along the way.
Sing aloud, yes, but don’t limit yourself to what your voice can do. Sing with your pen. Write down what you want to praise the Lord for. Jot down your hopes, dreams, desires for this year. Sing with your paint brush—paint your praise, joy, and thanksgiving. Sing with your musical instrument or your feet. Dance, as David did before the ark of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:5,16). We are wonderfully made, so we can praise the Lord in song or with any of the other talents he has given us.
What do you love to do? Do it intentionally today, as a way to express your joy, praise, and awe of the Lord. As you begin, tell the Lord, “This is for you, God!” And “Beloved, we are God’s children!” —1 John 3:2 if you find it too difficult, ask the Holy Spirit to put a new song in your heart. Ask him for a song that is not there now, one that perhaps has never been there. You are cre ated to sing before the Lord. Be expectant. He will teach you what to do and how to do it!
“Father, you are wonderful and loving and kind. Fill me with a new song today, a song of joy and hope.”
02 January 2012
02 Jan 2012, Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Reading 1 1 Jn 2:22-28
Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
"I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Meditation: 1 John 2:22-28
“Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.” (1 John 2:24)
Sometimes it’s only when some thing is taken away from us that we begin to see how precious it was. What, for instance, do you think would happen if every copy of the Bible were to disappear overnight? How would we teach our children about God’s love? How would we be able to understand God’s purposes in this world? Where would we turn for guidance and clarity in our lives?
Consider what St. John tells us in today’s first reading: “If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24). John is saying that when we let the word of God—what we “heard from the beginning”—soak into us, we “remain” in the Son and the Father. We actually find our life in the very life of the Trinity! Our minds, our hearts, and our actions change to reflect Jesus and his ways.
Shortly after he became pope, Blessed John Paul II visited Poland, which was still under Communist rule. On the last day of his visit, dur ing an outdoor Mass attended by approximately two million people, the pope extended his hands over everyone there and quoted Scripture: ”Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). He went on: “I speak, too, from St. Paul: Do not quench the Spirit. I speak again from St. Paul: Do not grieve the Spirit. You must be strong, my brothers and sisters! You must be strong with the strength that faith gives you (1 Corinthians 16:13)… . Do not be defeated. Do not be discouraged (Joshua 1:9). Never detach yourselves from him (Romans 8:35).”
These words—all taken from Scripture—imparted a measure of hope and strength to the Polish people that far surpassed anyone’s expectations. As a result, a move ment was born that ultimately led to the defeat of Communism, not just in Poland but throughout the Soviet Union.
There is no telling what can hap pen when we immerse ourselves in the word of God. All it takes is a few minutes a day of reading and medi tating on a passage in Scripture. The Holy Spirit will bring these words to life, and our hearts will be changed!
“Father, teach me to remain in your word so that I can bear great fruit for your kingdom.”
Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Jn 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
"I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Meditation: 1 John 2:22-28
“Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.” (1 John 2:24)
Sometimes it’s only when some thing is taken away from us that we begin to see how precious it was. What, for instance, do you think would happen if every copy of the Bible were to disappear overnight? How would we teach our children about God’s love? How would we be able to understand God’s purposes in this world? Where would we turn for guidance and clarity in our lives?
Consider what St. John tells us in today’s first reading: “If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24). John is saying that when we let the word of God—what we “heard from the beginning”—soak into us, we “remain” in the Son and the Father. We actually find our life in the very life of the Trinity! Our minds, our hearts, and our actions change to reflect Jesus and his ways.
Shortly after he became pope, Blessed John Paul II visited Poland, which was still under Communist rule. On the last day of his visit, dur ing an outdoor Mass attended by approximately two million people, the pope extended his hands over everyone there and quoted Scripture: ”Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). He went on: “I speak, too, from St. Paul: Do not quench the Spirit. I speak again from St. Paul: Do not grieve the Spirit. You must be strong, my brothers and sisters! You must be strong with the strength that faith gives you (1 Corinthians 16:13)… . Do not be defeated. Do not be discouraged (Joshua 1:9). Never detach yourselves from him (Romans 8:35).”
These words—all taken from Scripture—imparted a measure of hope and strength to the Polish people that far surpassed anyone’s expectations. As a result, a move ment was born that ultimately led to the defeat of Communism, not just in Poland but throughout the Soviet Union.
There is no telling what can hap pen when we immerse ourselves in the word of God. All it takes is a few minutes a day of reading and medi tating on a passage in Scripture. The Holy Spirit will bring these words to life, and our hearts will be changed!
“Father, teach me to remain in your word so that I can bear great fruit for your kingdom.”
01 Jan 2012, The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Reading 1 Nm 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 Gal 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, "Abba, Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel Lk 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Meditation: Galatians 4:4-7
Meditation: Galatians 4:4-7
View NAB Reading at USCCB.org | Wrong date? Set time zone.
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Mary, Mother of God
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman … so that we might receive adoption. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Our mothers usually know what’s best for us—and that’s espe cially true of our mother Mary. So on a day when we celebrate her feast day and make New Year’s res olutions, let’s ask Mary what she would want us to do. What is one transforming truth that Mary would want us to carry with us throughout this new year?
Perhaps she would echo Paul’s words from today’s second reading: Through baptism we have become sons and daughters of God. Most of us have already heard this truth, but does it sustain us in our daily lives? Has it become one of the central guiding principles of our lives? To answer that question, it may help to explore what it means to be a child of our heavenly Father.
First and foremost, being chil dren of God means that we aren’t orphans, left alone in the world to fend for ourselves. No, God loves and treasures us more than we can ever comprehend. He has called us his own, and he will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Second, being a child of God means that we carry the “fam ily name.” This is our identity. Not only does it define who we are, it also tells us what we can become as we learn to cooperate with God’s grace. It even tells us that we can come to bear a resemblance to our heavenly Father because we are sharing in his very nature (2 Peter 1:4)!
So while you’re formulating your New Year’s resolutions today, ask Mary to guide you. Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are. It will make your Mother very happy!
“Mary, pray for me throughout this year so that I can walk in the dignity that your Son has won for me!”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)
1. In the first reading, Aaron and his sons are instructed through Moses how to bless the Israelites. How often do you invoke similar blessings over your family and friends? Would you be willing to pray a blessing over family members once a week during 2012? If not, why not? If you have children at home try using the prayer in the first reading to pray over them in the evening, before bed, or in the morning.
2. In the responsorial psalm, once again we ask the Lord to “bless us” and “let his face shine upon us.” We also ask the Lord to permit us to praise him: “may all the peoples praise you.” As you reflect on the last year, what are the things the Lord has done for you that merit your thanks and praise?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Galatians and us that we are not only sons, we are also heirs! That is why we can cry out, “Abba Father” (Abba means daddy in Aramaic.) What does it mean to you to know that through faith in Jesus Christ, you are an adopted son/daugher and heir of your Heavenly Father? What qualities or attributes of your Heavenly Father do you want most for your life? What steps are you willing to take to receive them and act on them?
4. In the Gospel, we see how grateful the shepherds were (“glorifying and praising God”). In the Eucharist, we have an honor even greater than theirs. We get to receive into our hearts and body the very God they worshiped. How can you better prepare for that moment when you receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
5. The Gospel also says that Mary spent time “reflecting” in her heart the truths she heard from the shepherds. During this season of New Year’s resolutions, is it possible that God is inviting you to take on Mary’s approach by setting aside time each day to quiet your mind and reflect on who he is and what he has done? If so, are you willing to say yes? If not, why not?
6. The meditation further challenges us with these words “Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are.” As you begin the New Year, are you willing to commit to a daily time of prayer? Why or Why not? If you already have a daily prayer time, how can you structure your prayer time in order to spend a little less time presenting your list of needs to God, or trying to move his will, and more time reflecting on his words in Scripture and his will for your life?
7. Take some time now to ask Mary to pray that you would receive the grace needed to live your life in the dignity you have as a beloved son or daughter of your heavenly Father. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.
R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading 2 Gal 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, "Abba, Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel Lk 2:16-21
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
Meditation: Galatians 4:4-7
Meditation: Galatians 4:4-7
View NAB Reading at USCCB.org | Wrong date? Set time zone.
Article Tools
Text Size
Print-Friendly
Email this article
Mary, Mother of God
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman … so that we might receive adoption. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Our mothers usually know what’s best for us—and that’s espe cially true of our mother Mary. So on a day when we celebrate her feast day and make New Year’s res olutions, let’s ask Mary what she would want us to do. What is one transforming truth that Mary would want us to carry with us throughout this new year?
Perhaps she would echo Paul’s words from today’s second reading: Through baptism we have become sons and daughters of God. Most of us have already heard this truth, but does it sustain us in our daily lives? Has it become one of the central guiding principles of our lives? To answer that question, it may help to explore what it means to be a child of our heavenly Father.
First and foremost, being chil dren of God means that we aren’t orphans, left alone in the world to fend for ourselves. No, God loves and treasures us more than we can ever comprehend. He has called us his own, and he will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Second, being a child of God means that we carry the “fam ily name.” This is our identity. Not only does it define who we are, it also tells us what we can become as we learn to cooperate with God’s grace. It even tells us that we can come to bear a resemblance to our heavenly Father because we are sharing in his very nature (2 Peter 1:4)!
So while you’re formulating your New Year’s resolutions today, ask Mary to guide you. Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are. It will make your Mother very happy!
“Mary, pray for me throughout this year so that I can walk in the dignity that your Son has won for me!”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21)
1. In the first reading, Aaron and his sons are instructed through Moses how to bless the Israelites. How often do you invoke similar blessings over your family and friends? Would you be willing to pray a blessing over family members once a week during 2012? If not, why not? If you have children at home try using the prayer in the first reading to pray over them in the evening, before bed, or in the morning.
2. In the responsorial psalm, once again we ask the Lord to “bless us” and “let his face shine upon us.” We also ask the Lord to permit us to praise him: “may all the peoples praise you.” As you reflect on the last year, what are the things the Lord has done for you that merit your thanks and praise?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Galatians and us that we are not only sons, we are also heirs! That is why we can cry out, “Abba Father” (Abba means daddy in Aramaic.) What does it mean to you to know that through faith in Jesus Christ, you are an adopted son/daugher and heir of your Heavenly Father? What qualities or attributes of your Heavenly Father do you want most for your life? What steps are you willing to take to receive them and act on them?
4. In the Gospel, we see how grateful the shepherds were (“glorifying and praising God”). In the Eucharist, we have an honor even greater than theirs. We get to receive into our hearts and body the very God they worshiped. How can you better prepare for that moment when you receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
5. The Gospel also says that Mary spent time “reflecting” in her heart the truths she heard from the shepherds. During this season of New Year’s resolutions, is it possible that God is inviting you to take on Mary’s approach by setting aside time each day to quiet your mind and reflect on who he is and what he has done? If so, are you willing to say yes? If not, why not?
6. The meditation further challenges us with these words “Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are.” As you begin the New Year, are you willing to commit to a daily time of prayer? Why or Why not? If you already have a daily prayer time, how can you structure your prayer time in order to spend a little less time presenting your list of needs to God, or trying to move his will, and more time reflecting on his words in Scripture and his will for your life?
7. Take some time now to ask Mary to pray that you would receive the grace needed to live your life in the dignity you have as a beloved son or daughter of your heavenly Father. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
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